President Joe Biden is poised to deliver a strong condemnation of antisemitism during a ceremony on Tuesday commemorating the Holocaust. This comes at a time when tensions surrounding the Hamas attack on Israel and debates over the conflict in Gaza have triggered a surge in violence and hateful rhetoric towards Jews.
Biden’s remarks at the Capitol will coincide with ongoing pro-Palestinian protests, some of which have included antisemitic chants and threats directed at Jewish students and supporters of Israel, spreading across college campuses nationwide.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized Biden’s intention to honor the memory of the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and recommit to learning from this tragic chapter, stating, “During these sacred days of remembrance, we honor the memory of the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and recommit to heeding the lessons of this dark chapter. Never again.”
Jean-Pierre also highlighted Biden’s acknowledgment of the recent surge in antisemitism both domestically and globally, particularly in the wake of the Hamas attack on October 7th. The event at the Capitol, hosted by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, will feature speeches from House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Biden’s response to the campus protests presents a political dilemma, given his reliance on younger voters critical of his support for Israel.
While affirming the right to free speech, Jean-Pierre reiterated that there is no place for antisemitism, hate speech, or threats of violence against the Jewish people.
In tandem with Biden’s address, his administration announced new measures to combat antisemitism on college campuses and beyond, including initiatives by the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, the Department of Homeland Security, and the State Department’s special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism.
On Yom Hashoah, Israel’s Holocaust remembrance day, Trump’s campaign released a video contrasting the responses of the 2024 presidential candidates on antisemitism. Biden’s campaign spokesman reaffirmed Biden’s stance against antisemitism and commitment to the safety of the Jewish community and security of Israel.